DATE: Sunday, November 23, 1997             TAG: 9711190146

SECTION: HOME                    PAGE: G1   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: GARDENING

SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER

                                            LENGTH:   39 lines

VINE'S GLOSSY FOLIAGE GIVES SUBTROPICAL LOOK TO LANDSCAPE

FATSHEDERA IS A member of the Aralia family that is a hybrid of fatsia and hedera helix (English ivy). Like its parent fatsia, it has prominent, glossy foliage and gives a subtropical effect to any landscape.

Some people call it climbing fatsia, and in reality, that is what it is.

Fatshedera is excellent when espaliered on a wall or trellis or allowed to ramble on a fence. It does need support, so you'll need to tie it or nail in wall supports to hold it upright.

It grows from 8 to 25 feet high, sending out long, thick stems, first upright and then trailing.

Flowers are inconspicuous in autumn. The plant is grown mostly for its glossy foliage. Leaves are large and dark green, much like fatsia.

It is hardy on a north wall, where I have grown it. In severe winters, it may freeze down to its roots but usually comes back.

Fatshedera grows best in shade. It tolerates any garden soil but does best in moist, organic earth.

It is evergreen, which means this is one vine that will be green all winter.

A variegated fatshedera is available at Smithfield Gardens for $12.99 in one-gallon pots and $29.99 for a three-gallon size.

Winesett Nursery in Virginia Beach handles the all-green version at a price of $9.99 in a three-gallon container. They report they have an excellent one growing on the side of their sales office for anyone who wishes to see how fatshedera grows.

This vine is worth looking for. It will give you many years of good growing without much attention, and your friends will be asking you what it is. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Fatshedera...

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